Expedition to Europe

No matter what Auerbach says, Qin Zhiyuan does not intend to use Western methods to ascend the throne.

If Benedict XV is crowned, Lanfang may gain a higher degree of acceptance in Europe, but it will definitely arouse resentment among some Lanfang people, which Qin Zhiyuan does not want to see.

The recognition of Western society is indeed important, but Lanfang's military and people's morale is more important.

At this point, Qin Zhiyuan was clear.

In fact, both Western and Eastern societies agree with the concept of "divine right of kings." Therefore, when the "Emperor" in the East ascends the throne, he will worship heaven, and when the Western king ascends the throne, he will be crowned by the Pope. This is all to add "divine power" to the "imperial power". color.

For Qin Zhiyuan, he does not need to add the color of "theocracy" to his crown, because compared to the illusory gods, Qin Zhiyuan believes more in the strength of his hands and the cohesion of the country.

Therefore, Qin Zhiyuan decisively refused Ryder Auerbach's request: "Ryder, you have to understand that this is not a question of the crown or the church, but a question of the traditional cultural habits of the East and the West. At this point, I must follow Only in this way will our nation's traditional culture be recognized by the people, so on this issue, Ryder, I don't want to compromise, and I can't compromise."

Qin Zhiyuan didn't want to beat around the bush and gave a straightforward answer.

But Ryder Auerbach obviously didn't want to give up. At the same time, because of Qin Zhiyuan's determination, Ryder Auerbach settled for the next best thing: "Then, before you ascend the throne, you can choose to accept the Pope's blessing in the church. Blessings, of course, this does not affect your coronation ceremony."

This can be regarded as a special negotiation. Since it is a negotiation, there must be concessions and compromises. Ryder Auerbach was fully prepared before arriving.

"This is fine. I don't think the cabinet ministers will raise any objections." Qin Zhiyuan agreed to Ryder Auerbach's request.

Anyway, on the day he ascended the throne, Qin Zhiyuan was already ready to serve as a backdrop. In this case, there was no need to dwell on a certain form. At most, like many people getting married in the 21st century, they would have a Western-style wedding in the city first, and then go back. Come to my hometown and have a Chinese meal.

"Bang!" Ryder Auerbach pumped his fist and made a confident gesture, celebrating his stage victory.

Benedict XV is already very old. Traveling thousands of miles from the Vatican to Lanfang is already a tiring journey. If he comes to Lanfang just for a look and cannot play any role, it would be a bit like "entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed." meaning.

"Last question, Qin, what are you going to do about the Knights Templar?" Ryder Auerbach's face was solemn.

The Knights Templar, which helped Qin Zhiyuan a lot in the early days of Qin Zhiyuan's rise, but now, the Knights Templar have become a hot potato in Qin Zhiyuan's hands. This is a minor trouble.

There are still many supporters of the Knights Templar in the current Lanfang Army. Some of them have directly joined the Lanfang Army, some have gone to serve in the Foreign Legion, and more of them are working quietly, waiting for Qin Zhiyuan to fulfill his promise. The day of the promise.

The goal of the Knights Templar is to return to Jerusalem, become the ruler there, and then restore the glory of the Knights Templar.

Jerusalem is located in the Yifante area of ​​the Near East, which is too far away from Lanfang, and Qin Zhiyuan's tentacles cannot yet take care of it.

The current Middle East is still a desert.

The Middle East, where oil has not yet been discovered, has been forgotten by the whole world. The British rule it, and they are not very careful. Therefore, the Middle East is currently the most backward region in the world. Almost no one pays attention to them, and no one cares about the life and death of the Arabs. .

Just after the World War, the British threw the Kurds, *** Shias, and Sunnis together and established a new kingdom called Iraq, which became a British colony.

Also after the World War, France obtained the right to occupy Lebanon and Syria, and successfully obtained a piece of territory in the Middle East.

Although France and Lan Fang have a close relationship, they know very clearly that it is impossible for the French to give Lebanon and Syria to Qin Zhiyuan. Qin Zhiyuan is very sure of this.

"Jerusalem has received too much attention. It is not easy to achieve success. It will take a longer period of planning before it can be implemented." Qin Zhiyuan still did not hide it. He said one thing and another.

Judging from Lanfang's recent expansion rate, Lanfang has completely aroused the fear of Britain and the United States.

"It is not necessary to capture Jerusalem now, but there must be a corresponding combat plan. If necessary, the army can be dispatched at any time." Ryder Auerbach's prior work was indeed very promising.

It sounds like Ryder Auerbach's words are extremely feasible. As long as the Foreign Legion lands in the Near East, it will basically be no problem to capture Jerusalem.

It is easy to conquer a country, but difficult to sit on it.

It is not difficult to capture Jerusalem. What is difficult is how to defend Jerusalem.

Qin Zhiyuan did not want to think that like the Knights Templar in the original history, even though they had thrived in Jerusalem for hundreds of years, they were still driven away by the locals.

Qin Zhiyuan has always been determined not to fight but to win if he fights.

If he wants to occupy it, Qin Zhiyuan will hold Jerusalem and will not give anyone else any chance.

"Of course, the General Staff has already worked out a plan and is currently perfecting the details. Perhaps in three or two years, the Knights Templar will be able to return to Jerusalem. This time, we will firmly occupy the place, and no one can shake our rule over Jerusalem." Qin Zhiyuan reassured Reid Auerbach.

"That's the best!" This was the first time Reid Auerbach heard that Lan Fang had a plan to attack Jerusalem.

Although it was only the first time he heard about it, Reid Auerbach did not doubt Qin Zhiyuan's confidence at all, and at the same time he couldn't help but ask Qin Zhiyuan for confirmation.

"It's true, I can confirm it, so please rest assured, give me some more time, we need to build an industrial base, and then it will be time for us to start expanding." Qin Zhiyuan has a plan in mind.

There are about 8,000 "Berserkers" of the Knights Templar in the current Lan Fang army. These soldiers participated in the First World War and also participated in Lan Fang's Northern Expedition Corps, making great contributions to Lan Fang's occupation of the northern border area. In any case, Qin Zhiyuan should also give these people an explanation.

"That's great, Qin. If you need my help, then Qin, don't hesitate." Reid Auerbach wrote a blank check.

"Don't worry..." Qin Zhiyuan just let it go.

There is no doubt that if Qin Zhiyuan went to war with Jerusalem, the Catholic Church would definitely cooperate. Only under the banner of religion, Qin Zhiyuan would have enough reasons to go to Jerusalem.

The original text is in Liu # 9 @Shu/Bar!

Well, Qin Zhiyuan's ambition is indeed a bit big. Although the ownership of the Northern Frontier has not been finalized, and although the relationship with the Japanese has gradually deteriorated, Qin Zhiyuan is still preparing to attack Jerusalem, because only Qin Zhiyuan knows the value of the Near East.

Speaking of the Northern Frontier, in early September, the Japanese finally couldn't stand the collusion between the French and Lanfang people, nor the ambiguous attitude of the British and Americans, and angrily issued their own threats to the League of Nations again on the condition of withdrawing from the League of Nations.

To be honest, few people took the Japanese threats seriously.

In the eyes of Western powers, Japan does have certain strength, but it is only "certain". Western powers do not really take the Japanese seriously.

This is of course related to the poor performance of the Japanese Sixth Division in Europe. Especially with the foreign legion as a comparison, it is difficult for people to believe how much value Japan has.

So after receiving the threat from the Japanese, the British reacted the fastest. The British immediately ruled the Japanese. If the Japanese withdrew from the League of Nations, then Britain would end its alliance with Japan.

And France threatened to break off diplomatic relations. If the Japanese dared to withdraw from the League of Nations, then the French would break off all relations with the Japanese.

To be honest, Japan has almost no effect on France.

Japan now has a certain industrial base and does not have much demand for French products. At the same time, because of the abundance of silk and tea, Japan has been in a trade surplus position with France every year, which makes it difficult for the French to accept.

Now because of Qin Zhiyuan, Japan's raw silk has a substitute, and tea also has a substitute. France is not afraid of breaking off relations with Japan.

Old Renault and Qin Zhiyuan jointly built a "nylon" factory. Old Renault must have reported to the French government, because just a few days ago, Old Renault had just bought a piece of land outside Marseille for the construction of a nylon factory. These things could not escape the eyes and ears of the French government. It is better to admit it openly, which will make the French government more confident to reject the Japanese.

At the same time, the Japanese did not know that their raw silk industry was facing a catastrophe.

The Japanese believed that the Western powers needed Japanese products, so the Western powers would not turn against themselves because of Lan Fang.

The asymmetry of information often leads to tragedy, so the Japanese representatives in the League of Nations really packed up and prepared to return to Japan.

Unfortunately, the Japanese did not see the situation they wanted to see. Including the British, no one in the entire League of Nations tried to retain the Japanese, which made the Japanese representatives feel humiliated, so they immediately returned to their residence and contacted the country immediately to obtain "tactical guidance".

This "tactical guidance" is a more euphemistic term, which actually means "moving troops for help."

Japan is still in chaos and has no spare energy to deal with the League of Nations. However, at this sensitive moment, the Japanese certainly dare not act willfully, because that would make the whole world collectively abandon the Japanese.

So when the meeting resumed the next day, the Japanese representatives returned to the venue and continued to exercise their rights as permanent members.

Well, compared with national interests, personal honor and disgrace really don't matter.